IAIN MORRISON

The Scottish Rugby Union could boast the first female president in its 143-year history if Dee Bradbury has her way. The former police officer, and mother to Edinburgh Rugby flanker Magnus, is one of three candidates who have thrown their hats into the ring for the vice-president’s position at the SRU’s August agm. The ballot closes at the end of May so there is still technically time for some latecomers to join the party.

If successful, the vice-president is expected to assume the presidential mantle uncontested in 2018 when Rob Flockhart’s two-year term will have come to an end…assuming Flockhart himself is unchallenged at August’s meeting.

Bradbury has a fight on her hands with two other candidates, former chairman of Edinburgh Rugby John Davidson and long-serving council member Ian Barr, also standing. Barr lost out to Flockhart one year ago.

Currently the women’s rep on the SRU council, Bradbury started out as an athlete and a netball player, only coming to rugby relatively late, at the age of 38. She set up the ladies section at Oban Lorne and she was president of the club for eight years.

With one boy in the Edinburgh camp and another son honing his skills in New Zealand, Bradbury has no shortage of rugby experience at all levels of the game.

The former police officer could make a little history in August if she beats off the challengers but, even in light of Muirfield’s unfortunate vote, Scottish rugby can’t afford a token president at this crucial stage of the game’s development. Should Bradbury succeed it won’t be thanks to her gender but rather down to a combination of her experience and expertise and, you suspect, that is the only way she would have it.